'Stay of execution' meted out for dog, but Plainville pet must remain penned

Tuesday

Jul 15, 2014 at 10:41 PMJul 15, 2014 at 10:41 PM

By Heather Gillis Harrishharris@wickedlocal.com

PLAINVILLE ó The town was forced to intervene when Brewski, a 4-year-old English bulldog allegedly delivered a vicious attack on another dog on May 13 on Edgewood Drive.At Monday nightís selectmen's meeting, the board voted 2-0 to euthanize Brewski after he was declared dangerous upon investigation of the attack. The board did show leniency when they voted to "stay" the execution, offering the dog's owner the chance to build a pen to save her dogís life.This isnít the first time Brewski, owned by Jean Degutis of 44 Warren St., has been in trouble, said Animal Control Officer Melissa Bensen.Five other complaints have been made against the bulldog. Two reports involved other dog attacks, and the remaining complaints were filed because Brewski was found wandering the neighborhood off leash, even entering a neighborís house uninvited, Bensen said."The dog will have to either stay in the pen that meets a certain criteria, in the house or on a leash that also meets a certain criteria," said Town Administrator Joseph Fernandes.During the May 13 incident, owner Becky Grzenda was walking Maggie, a corgi/Jack Russell mix, when Brewski, who was unattended, attacked, Bensen said."It took three or four people to pull him off," she said. "The people trying to pull him off are fortunate that he didnít turn and try to bite them."Bensen said this case is an example as to why she cites dog owners when they allow their pets off-leash."Any dog can be dangerous," she said. "I hope people learn a lesson from this. When dogs are running loose, you never know what will set a dog off. Dogs are animals and will respond like animals."As far as Brewski, the warning signs were there, Bensen said, and Degutis didnít take proper action."In this case, it had been escalating over time. He had been running off the property and running loose. Thatís not always a major problem, but with this particular dog it was," she said. "The first time it happened the owner should have made sure he wasnít out wandering alone."Bensen said she doesnít blame Brewski, but the owner."Unfortunately, the dog has to pay the price because this is the only recourse allowed," she said. "Nobody likes to put a dog to sleep, but in the bigger picture, we have to look at public safety and the safety of the people."As far as Maggie goes, Bensen said she will recover, but may or may not experience nerve damage."The physical wounds may heal, but the emotional trauma suffered by both the dog and the people involved, you never really heal from that," she said.Degutis will have until Aug. 13 to put up the pen, Bensen said.Heather Harris can be reached at hharris@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @heatherharrisWL.